VCOM 2025 Annual Report

48

Educational Partnerships T hrough the Harvey W. Peters Center Foundation, VCOM has established educational partnerships with Bluefield University. These affiliated master’s programs are designed to strengthen students’ scientific preparation prior to medical school and to expand opportunities for careers in healthcare. Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS) The Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences is a nine month, non-thesis degree offered in Blacksburg, Virginia, by Bluefield University with collaborative teaching from VCOM faculty. The program follows an academic structure similar to medical school and prepares students for the rigors of medical, nursing, and other health professions programs. Students who meet established benchmarks are guaranteed interviews at VCOM, the Appalachian School of Pharmacy, and other healthcare professional programs. An online MABS option is also available. Master of Health Science in Anesthesia (MHSA) Located on the VCOM-Auburn and VCOM Carolinas campuses, the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia is a 28-month collaborative program between VCOM and Bluefield University. Clinical rotations provide students with comprehensive experience in anesthetic techniques and patient care. Graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants. Affiliated Programs

Healthcare Workforce Affiliates National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data (NCAHD) Established in 2007, the National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data supports healthcare workforce research for VCOM as well as public and private partners nationwide. NCAHD is the only national healthcare workforce research center that combines an alumni tracking process with automated data matching using Enhanced State Licensure data and national datasets, including the National Provider Identifier. The center also uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze physician proximity to rural and medically underserved areas, medically underserved populations, and Health Professional Shortage Areas. In 2018, NCAHD partnered with the National Center for Rural Health Works to develop the Specialty Physician Supply and Demand Tool, which assesses specialty workforce needs across the country. I chose osteopathic medicine for its holistic approach, seeking to understand and treat the whole person, not just their symptoms. I am committed to becoming a compassionate, community-focused physician who empowers patients through empathy and evidence-based care.”

“

Elizabeth Acors ‘26 VCOM-Virginia A. Patricia Merryman Endowed Scholarship